Device, system and method for mobile devices to communicate through skin response

ABSTRACT

Devices, systems and methods for communicating to another user or users through skin response technology are provided. The present disclosure provides for receiving at least one message over a network by a mobile device; transmitting the received at least one message to a vibrotactile device configured to be worn on the skin of a user; converting, by the vibrotactile device, the transmitted at least one message into a predefined vibration pattern; and effecting the predefined vibration pattern onto the skin of a user by at least one actuating element of the vibrotactile device.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority on U.S. application Ser. No.13/248,727, filed Sep. 29, 2011, which claims priority on U.S.Provisional Patent Appl. No. 61/446,774 filed Feb. 25, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field

The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems and methodsfor communicating to another user or users through skin responsetechnology.

Description of the Related Art

Portable Haptic technology, or haptics, is a tactile feedback technologythat takes advantage of a user's sense of touch by applying forces,vibrations, and/or motions to the user. This mechanical stimulation maybe used to assist in the creation of virtual objects (objects existingonly in a computer simulation), for control of such virtual objects, andfor the enhancement of the remote control of machines and devices(teleoperators). Some simple haptic devices are common in the form ofgame controllers, in particular of joysticks and steering wheels. Atfirst, such features and/or devices used to be optional components (likethe Nintendo 64 controller's Rumble Pak). Now many of the newergeneration console controllers and some joysticks feature built indevices (such as Sony's DualShock technology). An example of thisfeature is the simulated automobile steering wheels that are programmedto provide a “feel” of the road. As the user makes a turn oraccelerates, the steering wheel responds by resisting turns or slippingout of control. Other examples for devices with different types ofhaptic technologies include, among others, cell phones from like LG andMotorola. In most cases this takes the form of vibration response totouch.

Haptics is enabled by actuators that apply the forces to the skin fortouch feedback. The actuator provides mechanical motion in response toan electrical stimulus. Most early designs of haptic feedback useelectromagnetic technologies such as vibratory motors with an offsetmass, such as the pager motor, that is in most cell phones or voicecoils where a central mass or output is moved by a magnetic field. Theelectromagnetic motors typically operate at resonance and provide strongfeedback, but have limited range of sensations. Next• generationactuator technologies are beginning to emerge, offering a wider range ofeffects thanks to more rapid response times. Next generation hapticactuator technologies include Electroactive Polymers, Piezoelectric, andElectrostatic surface actuation.

Several vibro-tactile devices have been proposed over the years and someof them were commercially offered. Proposed devices includeVibro-Tactile Space-Awareness Belt (Fercha, et al.) that included eightvibrator elements, all lined up on the fabric of a wrist belt, andconnected to belt controller which is built upon an Atmega 32-basedmicrocontroller board. In this system the controller activates thevibrator switches according to commands received. Another device is theWearable Vibrotactile Feedback Suit for Improved Human Motor Learningproposed by Lieberman and Breazeal at Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology (MIT). The system includes optical tracking, tactileactuators, feedback software and hardware for output control. ComTouchis another device proposed in the joint work by researchers from MITMedia Lab and Tufts University in 2002. ComTouch is a vibrotactiledevice sleeve that fits over the back of a mobile phone. The basicconcept is a handheld device that translates finger pressure intovibration. The devices are bi-directional and both users can send andreceive signals simultaneously. In 2003 Wearable Computer Laboratoryfrom the University of South Australia and the Department of Textilesand Apparel at Cornell University collaborated to device a Shoulder PadInsert for vibrotactile feedback. The device was intended to help withnavigation for both fully-sighted and seeing-impaired individuals,generate silent alerts, socially subtle transmission of information, andmotion guidance for physical activity. Besides these devices proposedvia research, commercial vibrotactile devices include Tactaid andTactilator from Audiological Engineering Corp.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Devices, systems and methods for communicating to another user or usersthrough skin response technology are provided.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system forcommunicating a message to a user is provided including a mobile deviceincluding a communication module configured to receive at least onemessage over a network and a transmission module for transmitting thereceived at least one message to a vibrotactile device; and thevibrotactile device configured to be worn on a user, the vibrotactiledevice including a second transmission module for receiving thetransmitted at least one message; a processor for converting thetransmitted at least one message into a predefined vibration pattern;and at least one actuating element configured for effecting thepredefined vibration pattern onto skin of a user.

In one aspect, the at least one actuating element is selected from thegroup consisting of electroactive polymer elements, piezoelectricelements and electrostatic surface actuation elements.

In another aspect, the predefined vibration pattern is in accordancewith Morse code, Braille system or a defined pattern programmed into amemory of the vibrotactile device by the user.

In yet another aspect, the at least one message is an e-mail message ora SMS text message.

In a further aspect, the vibrotactile device is configured as a flexiblepad that conforms to skin of a user or a watch worn upon a user's wrist.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method forcommunicating a message to a user includes receiving at least onemessage over a network by a mobile device; transmitting the received atleast one message to a vibrotactile device; converting, by thevibrotactile device, the transmitted at least one message into apredefined vibration pattern; and effecting the predefined vibrationpattern onto skin of a user by at least one actuating element disposedin the vibrotactile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for communicating a message to a userthrough skin response in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of various modules included in the mobiledevice illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of various modules included in thevibrotactile device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, and 6 illustrate various types of vibrotactile devicesin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for communicating amessage to a user through skin response according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription, well-known functions or constructions are not described indetail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.

A device, system and method for communicating a message to a user orusers through skin response are provided. A mobile device of the presentdisclosure, e.g., a cellular phone, GSM phone, media player, personaldigital assistant (PDA), etc., will enable a user to receive a messageon the mobile device which is transferred to a vibrotactile device wornon the user. In this manner, a user can receive a message withoutletting anyone know that they are receiving a message. It is to beappreciated that the message may take the form of an e-mail, textmessage, predefined coded message, etc. Various types of mobile deviceare contemplated by the present disclosure.

To allow a user to communicate to another user or users through skinresponse technology. Further, to allow a first user to communicate to asecond user or multiple users through skin response including hapticfeedback. This type of communication will be extremely useful to thoseusers who are hearing impaired as well as those users who are visuallyimpaired. Moreover, this communication method will also benefit allusers who do not want to hear or see messages that are beingcommunicated to them through Portable Device Assistants or mobiledevices such as cellular phones.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system in accordance with the present disclosureis illustrated. The system includes a mobile device 100 and avibrotactile device 102 configured to be worn on a user 104. The device100 will communicate to a mobile device of another user 106 or a server108 via a communication network 110. The device 100, mobile device 106and server may be connected to the communications network 110, e.g., theInternet, cellular network, etc., by any known means, for example, ahardwired or wireless connection 112, such as dial-up, hardwired, cable,DSL, satellite, cellular, PCS, wireless transmission (e.g., 802.11a/b/g), etc. It is to be appreciated that the network 110 may be anynetwork known in the art including a telephone network (e.g., a plainold telephone service (POTS) network), a mobile phone network (e.g.,cellular, PCS. GSM, etc.), a computer network, a switch data packetnetwork, etc. In one embodiment, the network 110 may be a local areanetwork (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet or any knownnetwork that couples a plurality of computers and digital devices toenable various modes of communication via network messages. Furthermore,the server 108 will communicate using the various known protocols suchas Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), FileTransfer Protocol (FTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), etc. andsecure protocols such as Internet Protocol Security Protocol (IPSec),Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)Protocol, etc. The server 108 will further include a storage medium 114for storing a database which links an identifier, e.g., a telephonenumber, to a user of the system of the present disclosure, the detailsof which will be described in detail below.

The mobile device 100 includes various electrical components, which willbe described in detail below, disposed in a generally rectangularhousing 122. A display module 124 is provided for displaying video andimage media content, such as movies, animations, etc. and a speaker 126is provided configured to produce audio, e.g., music or a soundtrackassociated with a video. An audio port 128 will be configured to receivea plug or connector from a headphone, stereo system, etc. to stream theaudio to the connected device. It is to be appreciated that when anexternal device is connected to the audio port 128 the speaker 126 willbe disabled. Input module 130 includes a plurality of buttons 132 forinputting data and navigating through a plurality of menus. A touchscreen overlaid upon the display module 124 may also be coupled to theinput module for facilitating user input. The mobile device 100 furtherincludes a storage module 134 for storing a plurality of content and/ora list of contacts, i.e., a list of persons or entities to be contactedupon triggering an alert.

A transmission module 136 is provided for transmitting/receiving dataand/or content to another device, e.g., a personal computer, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a server residing on the Internet, etc.Optionally, the mobile device 100 may include a microphone 138 foracquiring audio from the user of the device to input data.

Referring to FIG. 2, the various components of the device 100 will nowbe described. The device will contain a computer processing module 140,e.g., a microprocessor. The computer processing module 140 will usecomputer software instructions that have been programmed into the moduleand conventional computer processing power to interact and organize thetraffic flow between the various other modules. It is to be understoodthat the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms ofhardware, software, firmware, special purpose processors, or acombination thereof. A system bus 142 couples the various componentsshown in FIG. 2 and may be any of several types of bus structuresincluding a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and alocal bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The device alsoincludes an operating system and micro instruction code preferablyresiding in read only memory (ROM) (not shown). The various processesand functions described herein may either be part of the microinstruction code or part of an application program (or a combinationthereof) which is executed via the operating system. Exemplary operatingsystems include but are not limited to SymbianOS, Windows Mobile/WindowsCE, Palm OS, Linux, Blackberry OS, BREW, webOS, Android, iOS, etc. whichhave been developed for mobile computing applications and can handleboth data computing and communication applications, e.g., voicecommunications.

It is to be further understood that because some of the constituentdevice components and method steps depicted in the accompanying figuresmay be implemented in software, the actual connections between thedevice components (or the process steps) may differ depending upon themanner in which the present disclosure is programmed. Given theteachings of the present disclosure provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the related art will be able to contemplate these and similarimplementations or configurations of the present disclosure.

The computer processing module 140 may further include, in addition to amicroprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP) for decoding storedaudio, video and photo files to be played on the device 100. As is knownin the art, the DSP may include several known decompression algorithmsfor decompressing stored media content, e.g., a MP3 file. The device 100of the present disclosure will support various file types including butnot limited to Microsoft Windows Media Video files (.wmv), MicrosoftPhoto Story files (.asf), Microsoft Windows Media Audio files (.wma),MP3 audio files (.mp3), JPEG image files (.jpg, .jpeg, .jpe, .jfif),MPEG movie files (.mpeg, .mpg, .mpe, .mlv, .mp2v .mpeg2), MicrosoftRecorded TV Show files (.dvr-ms), Microsoft Windows Video files (.aviand .wmv), realmedia files (.rm) and Microsoft Windows Audio files(.wav).

The device 100 will also contain a display module 124 for displayingdigital information such as video files, image files, text files, etc.This display may be in any current form in the art, including LiquidCrystal Displays (LCD), Light emitting diode displays (LED), ActiveMatrix Organic Light Emitting Diodes (AMOLED), Cathode Ray Tube Displays(CRT) or any other type of display currently existing or existing in thefuture. The display module 124 may also include an audio output device,e.g., a speaker 126, audio port 128, etc., allowing the user to alsohear audio output from the device 100, e.g., audio associated with avideo, a MP3 file, etc.

The mobile device 100 of the present disclosure will contain a userinput module 130 to either receive user instructions via text input bythe way of buttons 132, a standard keyboard interface coupled to thedevice, or a character recognition capture device which translates usertext input into alphanumeric characters. Preferably, the characterrecognition device is a touch screen which overlays the display module124 and text is entered via a pen-like stylus. Such input devices arestandard and currently available on many electronic devices includingportable digital assistants (PDAs) and cellular telephones. Optionally,microphone 138 may be further coupled to the input module 130 forcapturing any audio information spoken by the user and the input modulewill further include an analog• to-digital (ND) converter for convertingthe spoken audio information into a digital format. Furthermore, theinput module may include a voice recognition processor that translatesthe digital human voice into alpha numeric characters for user input.The user will utilize the user input module 130 to enter various data,for example, to enter payment information, to initiate communicationwith a remote server, to flag desired content to be downloaded, torequest an initial selection of media content to be downloaded, etc.

The storage module 134 includes internal storage memory, e.g., randomaccess memory (RAM), or removable memory such as magnetic storagememory; optical storage memory, e.g., the various known types of CD andDVD media; solid-state storage memory, e.g., a CompactFlash card, aMemory Stick, SmartMedia card, MultiMediaCard (MMC), SD (Secure Digital)memory; or any other memory storage that exists currently or will existin the future. The storage module 134 includes a list of contacts,pre-defined messages that are transmitted to the vibrotactile device,etc.

The transmission module 136 will enable the device 100 to transmit ortransfer information to other computing devices and to receiveinformation from other computing devices, e.g., digital media files,encryption/decryption keys, etc. The transmission module 136 willperform its functionality by hardwired and/or wireless connectivity. Thehardwire connection may include but is not limited to hard wire cablinge.g., parallel or serial cables, USB cable, Firewire (1394 connectivity)cables, and the appropriate port. The wireless connection will operateunder any of the various known wireless protocols including but notlimited to Bluetooth™ interconnectivity, infrared connectivity, radiotransmission connectivity including computer digital signal broadcastingand reception commonly referred to as Wi-Fi or 802.11.X (where x denotesthe type of transmission), satellite transmission or any other type ofcommunication protocols or systems currently existing or to be developedfor wirelessly transmitting data. The transmission module will compressand encode the encrypted information for transmission using any knownwireless communication technology. In one embodiment, antenna ANT iscoupled to the transmission module 136 for extending the wirelesstransmission range of the device 100.

Optionally, the device 100 may include a capture module 122 to capturean image desired by the user in digital form, e.g., an image of aperpetrator of a crime. The capture module includes an image sensor, ananalog-to-digital (ND) converter and a digital signal processor (DSP).The image sensor includes preferably millions of photosensors, e.g.,pixels, wherein each pixel absorbs the light and transforms the lightinto an electric charge proportional to the intensity of light. Eachcharge is transmitted to an ND converter where the charge is convertedinto a digital value representing the color the pixel will be, e.g.,representing different intensities of red, green and blue. The digitalvalues are then passed to the digital signal processor which enhancesthe image, compresses it and then stores it in a digital file format inthe storage module 134.

A locational information module may optionally be provided fordetermining a location of the device 100 and/or user. The locationalinformation module may include a receiver and antenna ANT employingconventional locational information processing technology such as GlobalPositioning Satellite (GPS) Technology, Loran Technology, or any otheravailable locational technology, to indicate the exact location, e.g.,latitude, longitude and altitude, of the device 100.

The mobile device 100 may also optionally include an encryption module.The encryption module will use conventional code encryption algorithmscurrently in use or that will be in use in the future such assymmetric-key algorithms, e.g., DES, AES, Triple-DES, Blowfish, RC2,RC4, RC5, etc, and asymmetric-key algorithms, e.g., Diffie-Hellman, RSA,ElGamal, etc. to data that is stored in the storage module 134. Theencryption module may also encrypt photos or the pre• defined massagebefore transmission to another device or server.

Furthermore, the device 100 will include a date and time module. Thedate and time module will use standard computer chip processingtechnology widely in use, e.g., a crystal, or alternatively, input froma GPS receiver or cellular provider, to supply the date and time.

In one embodiment, the device 100 according to the principles of thepresent disclosure is embodied as a mobile phone including the modulesand architecture illustrated in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, microphone106 is further coupled to a communication module 144 for encoding auser's speech to be transmitted via antenna ANT using CDMA, PCS, GSM orany other known wireless communication technology. The user will enterphone numbers to be dialed via the touch screen, or alternatively, as isknown in the mobile phone art, the device 100 may include a full QWERTYkeyboard as an input module to enter text information. In addition toproducing audio from audio or multimedia content, speaker 116 will becoupled to the antenna ANT and a decoder for receiving and decodingvoice communication from another mobile phone.

It is to be appreciated that the communication module 144 may include asingle integrated circuit chip to perform data transfer and voicecommunications or a single module including a separate data transferchip, e.g., a WiFi transceiver, and a separate voice communication chip,e.g., a CDMA chip. In one embodiment, the communication module willoperate on the wireless GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) dataprotocol or a 3G protocol such as W-CDMA, CDMA2000 and TD-SCOMA. Boththe GPRS and 3G protocols have the ability to carry both voice and dataover the same service.

It is to be appreciated that the device 100 described above is anexemplary device and may include all or a portion of the modulesdescribed above. Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that existingmobile devices, e.g., mobile phones, digital media playback device, maybe used in accordance with the principles of the system and method ofthe present disclosure described below.

Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary vibrotactile device 102 isillustrated. The vibrotactile device 102 includes a transmission module202 for receiving a message from the mobile device 100, at least oneprocessor 204 for converting the received message into a predefinedvibration pattern, and at least one actuator or vibrator element 206configured for effecting the predefined vibration pattern onto skin of auser. A controller 208 is coupled to each actuator 206 forming a controland drive circuit. The controller 208 is built upon a microcontrollerboard. It is to be appreciated that the vibrotactile device 102 isconfigured to be worn on any skin surface, and may take many forms suchas a generally planar, flexible pad or a wrist watch.

In one embodiment, the actuators or vibrator elements 206 have highoutput power density and resonant frequency of 250 Hz (for maximumdetection by humans). The tactile actuators function as resonantactuators, utilizing a coil attached to the end of a resonant spring,turned on and off manually at the resonant frequency of the mass-springcombination. This allows the frequency to be controlled independently ofamplitude and allows very quick ring-up and ring-down times. The highbandwidth response is ideal for the quick feedback responses. It is tobe appreciated that the actuators or vibrator elements 206 may take manyforms such as but not limited to electroactive polymer elements,piezoelectric elements, electrostatic surface actuation elements, etc.

The vibrotactile device 102 includes onboard resident memory 210 coupledto the programmable computer processor 204. Computer controlprogrammable software resident in the processor 204 and/or memory 210 isprovided to determine what vibrotactile signals should be sent to theactuators 206, via controller 208, to provide tactile feedback to theuser.

The transmission module 202 enables the vibrotactile device 102 tocommunicate wirelessly thorough communications channels such as Wifi,Bluetooth, infrared, cellular communications, satellite communications,cabling, etc. to the mobile device 100.

It is to be appreciated that the vibrotactile device 102 may take manyforms and configurations. Referring to FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, and 6, exemplaryvibrotactile devices are illustrated. In FIG. 4, a vibrotactile devicewith a single actuator or vibrator element 402 is shown. In thisconfiguration, the element 402 may tap or vibrate against the user toindicate the mobile device 100 has received a message. In oneembodiment, the controller 208 will cause the element 402 to activate inpredefined pattern to provide to the user wearing the vibrotactiledevice 102 a specific message. The predefined pattern may be inaccordance with Morse code, Braille or a pattern predefined by the userand loaded into memory 210.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate yet another configuration of the vibrotactiledevice 102. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5A, the vibrotactiledevice 102 includes at least seven elements 404-416 arranged similar toa seven segment display. In this embodiment, the controller willselectively activate specific elements to relay a message to a user. Inthe example shown in FIG. 5B, the controller 208 activates elements 406,408, 412, 414 and 416 to impart the letter “U” onto the skin of a user,for example, alerting the user that the mobile device 100 has receivedan urgent message. By employing the seven element configuration shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the controller 208 can create virtually any letterand/or number to spell out a specific message to the user.

Similarly, in FIG. 6, the vibrotactile device 102 may include element420 which includes a plurality of actuator or vibrator element 422throughout. In this embodiment, the controller 208 will selectivelyactivate the individual elements 422 to trace out a message to the user.

It is to be appreciated that the vibrotactile device 102 housing theactuator or vibrator elements may take many forms. For example, theactuator or vibrator elements may be disposed in a flexible, pad thatwill be applied to the user's skin. In another embodiment, the actuatoror vibrator elements may be disposed in a watch worn upon a user'swrist. Many other configurations are contemplated and fall within thescope of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 7, a method of the present disclosure isdescribed. Initially, in step 502, the portable mobile device 100 (e.g.,PDA, cell phone, etc.) receives communications data, e.g., a messagestring such as an e• mail or text, via standard communication channels.This communication channels include but are not limited to cellularcommunication, WiFi communication, satellite communication, Bluetoothcommunication, infrared communication or any other communication to bedeveloped. Examples of mobile devices include but are not limited tocellular telephones such as the iPhone™ from Apple™, and the Blackberry™from Research in Motion™, various Android™ phones licensed by Google™,or PDA devices such as devices from Palm™ USA.

In step 504, the received message string is communicated to theprocessor 204 contained in the vibrotactile device 102, via thetransmission module 202 using supported wireless communicationtechnology (e.g. Infrared, cellular, Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.). The messagestring may include one word or a series of words.

Next, in step 506, the control software loaded in the processor 204within the user's vibrotactile device 102 reads the communicated messagestring, stores it in the resident memory 210, and then processes thecommunicated message string based on software or hardware basedprogrammed logic. In step 508, the processing performed by the processor204 involves reading each letter in the message, generating acorresponding signal or instructions and communicating thesignal/instructions to the controller 208. In embodiment of thisdisclosure, the processing logic involves translation of the messagestring to Braille symbols for the visually impaired user and thendirecting the controller 208 to generate the required vibration patternemulating the Braille letters. Programmed logic may also include supportto specific symbology. For example, a symbol like C or U could indicatethat the sender of the message wants the subject to call or that it wasurgent. Other symbols could indicate other messages strings andshorthand symbology could be supported as well.

By example, if an SMS message was transmitted to the vibrotactiledevice, the following steps would be executed within the vibrotactilepad:

a. Control software loads the SMS message string into resident memory210.

b. Control software parses the text message to read each character andstore it in resident memory 210.

c. Control software processes each character comparing it with a staticcharacter set loaded in memory. Each character in the set has processinginstructions associated with it. Instructions would be to trigger aspecific vibration pattern as feedback mechanism.

d. Once a match is found for the character being processed, instructionsassociated with the matching character are read from resident memory210.

e. Obtained instructions are communicated to the controller 208.

The vibrotactile's controller 208 receives the instructions from theprocessor 204 to trigger the appropriate vibration pattern. In step 510,the required vibration pattern is triggered by the controller 208sending the required signals to the motors or actuators 206 in thevibrotactile device 102 by activating the actuators or vibrator elementsaccording to the commands received from the processor 204. Activationparameters such as intensity, duration, and frequency are passed to eachof the actuators or elements 206. The vibration pattern generated by theactuators creates the sense of touch, via, for example, tracing theletter, to help the user perceive the communicated letter or symbol andthus communicate the message string.

The teachings and principles of the present disclosure enable thefollowing non-limiting, exemplary applications. It is to be appreciatedthat the following is not an exhaustive list of possible applications.

A user affixes the vibrotactile device (e.g., a pad) to his skin. Thispad is in communication with the user's mobile device. This mobiledevice has e-mail and SMS (Short Message Service) send and receivecapacity. The user is in a meeting where he does not want to be seenviewing his mobile device. Yet, the user needs to know when the messageis being received and the content of the message. The user is alerted tothe message receipt by a vibration that is felt on his skin surface fromthe vibrotactile device, i.e., the pad. The message (e.g., a briefmessage to call his colleague X) is then communicated by thevibrotactile device by tracing the message in shorthand on the user'sskin surface. The user is thus informed of the message without everhaving to look at the display of his mobile device.

A non-sighted (blind) user affixes the vibrotactile device (e.g. avibrotactile pad) to his skin. This vibrotactile device (e.g. avibrotactile pad) is in communication with the user's mobile device.This mobile device has e-mail and SMS send and receive capacity. Theuser receives a message on their mobile device. The message iscommunicated to the user through the vibrotactile device, allowing thenon-sighted user to receive the message without being able to see themobile display. Braille or another form of symbology may be utilized inthe communication process. In the case of a non-sighted and hearingdisabled user, this method of communication is extremely important sinceit may represent the only means of communication to the user from theuser's mobile device.

A non-sighted (blind) and possibly hearing disabled user affixes thevibrotactile pad (e.g., a vibrotactile pad) to his skin. Thisvibrotactile device is in communication with the user's mobile device.The mobile device contains text that the user wants to be able tocomprehend. The text may be an article, an e-book, a word document, orany other type of textual document. The mobile device transmits the textto the memory of the vibrotactile device, which in turn transmits thetext to the user by using the at least one actuator in the vibrotactilepad. Braille or another form of symbology may be utilized in thecommunication process. Thus, a disabled person is able to access andunderstand text.

Furthermore, although the foregoing text sets forth a detaileddescription of numerous embodiments, it should be understood that thelegal scope of the present disclosure is defined by the words of theclaims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description isto be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possibleembodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would beimpractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternateembodiments, using either current technology or technology developedafter the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within thescope of the claims.

It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined inthis patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term “is herebydefined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent tolimit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication,beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not beinterpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in anysection of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To theextent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent isreferred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning,that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader,and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implicationor otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element isdefined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recitalof any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim elementbe interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixthparagraph.

1. A system for communicating a message to a user comprising: a mobiledevice including a communication module configured to receive at leastone message over a network and a transmission module for transmittingthe received at least one message to a tactual device; and the tactualdevice configured to be worn on a user, the tactual device including: asecond transmission module for receiving the transmitted at least onemessage; a tactually perceivable predetermined set of patterns stored inmemory that represent alphanumerical characters, words and phrases; aprocessor for converting the transmitted at least one message into asignal based on said set of patterns; and a plurality of actuatingelements that receive said signal and are selectively activated asrequired by said tactually perceivable patterns configured for effectingthe converted message as tactual patterns perceivable by any part of theskin of a user where the tactual device was placed; each actuatingelement being located independently from each other.
 2. The system as inclaim 1, wherein the plurality of actuating elements is selected fromthe group consisting of electroactive polymer elements, piezoelectricelements and electrostatic surface actuation elements.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the predefined tactual pattern is in accordance withMorse code.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the predefined tactualpattern is in accordance with Braille system.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the predefined tactual pattern is programmed into a memory ofthe tactual device by the user.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein atleast one message is an e-mail message.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein at least one message is a SMS text message.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the tactual device is configured as a flexible pad thatconforms to skin of a user.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein thetactual device is configured as a watch worn upon a user's wrist.
 10. Amethod for communicating a message to a user comprising: receiving atleast one message over a network by a mobile device; transmitting thereceived at least one message to a tactual device worn by a user;converting, by the tactual device, the transmitted at least one messageinto a set of predetermined tactually perceivable patterns thatrepresent alphanumerical characters, words and phrases stored in memory;and a plurality of actuating elements selectively activated as requiredby said tactually perceivable patterns configured for effecting theconverted message as tactual patterns perceivable by any part of theskin of a user where the tactual device was placed; each actuatingelement being located independently from each other.
 11. The method asin claim 11, wherein the plurality of actuating elements is selectedfrom the group consisting of electroactive polymer elements,piezoelectric elements and electrostatic surface actuation elements. 12.The system of claim 11, wherein the predefined tactual pattern is inaccordance with Morse code.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein thepredefined tactual pattern is in accordance with Braille system.
 14. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising programming the predefinedtactual pattern into a memory of the tactual device by the user.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, wherein at least one message is an e-mail message.16. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one message is a SMS textmessage.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the tactual device isconfigured as a flexible pad that conforms to skin of a user or a watchworn upon a user's wrist.